Middle East and Europe
Jesus was a Middle Easterner, as were the first Christian missionaries—James, Peter, Paul, Mark, and Thomas among them. Our Christian faith ties us to the Middle East, where Christ was born; and to Europe, to which Christianity spread and underwent historic reform. As North American churches in the Reformed tradition, our faith heritage—and for many, our family roots—are grounded in the Middle East and Europe.
Global Ministries is part of this rich Christian heritage, steeped in UCC and Disciples missionary history of more than two centuries. The first Congregational missionaries to the Middle East left for Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey), Beirut, and Jerusalem in 1819; the first Disciples missionary went to Jerusalem in 1849. They found living and witnessing Christian communities there, even as they discovered great ecumenical and interfaith diversity.
Today, our Middle Eastern and European partners offer important witness in contexts of diverse religious traditions—and of changing religious landscapes. We are blessed to accompany many churches, faith-based organizations, and institutions in the Middle East and Europe as they strive to:
- Support human rights and promote human dignity;
- Advocate for justice and peace in contexts of conflict; engage in interfaith dialogue;
- Respond to the needs of people impacted by emergencies, including natural disasters and war;
- Promote community and economic development;
- Provide opportunities for education—from primary schools through seminaries and universities;
- Witness to their faith even in challenging contexts.
Helpful resources from the Middle East and Europe Office
General Synod/Assembly Resolutions Related to the Middle East
Interfaith Relations Resources
The Disciples and UCC address the crisis in the Middle East
Middle East and Europe News
Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Jan. 22, 2024
Last week, Gaza had a near-total telecommunications blackout, making it difficult for information…
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DSPR: An Update from Gaza
The Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR, registered in Gaza as the Near East…
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3rd Thursday Alert: Urge a ceasefire; abide by international law; release hostages & prisoners; protect civilians; and support humanitarian aid & access to Gaza
The devastating loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since October 7…
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His Eyes Are Upon Their Ways: Reflections Three Years After the Beirut Port Explosion
Written by Nishan Bakalian, serving in Lebanon with the Union of Armenian Evangelical…
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Degrees of Misery
Nishan and Maria Bakalian serve with the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in…
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